Articles for tag: Prodigal Son

September 12, 2013

Christian Standard

Leading with Love in Las Vegas

By Vince Antonucci Travis moved from New York City to Las Vegas to make money. He was a photographer and started showing up at nightclubs and strip clubs asking, “How about you make me your photographer?” Travis became the photographer for many of Vegas”s nightclubs and strip clubs, and then strippers. Before long, Travis was sleeping with the strippers. Travis”s wife found out, and she moved out with their kids. Travis began convincing strippers that they could make more money, and soon he became their pimp. Travis is the kind of person I moved to Las Vegas to reach. We

February 22, 2013

Christian Standard

Want a Better Church? Ask Better Questions

“You are a Christian only so long as you constantly pose critical questions to the society you live in . . . so long as you stay unsatisfied with the status quo and keep saying that a new world is yet to come.” “”Henri Nouwen By Brian Mavis If your spouse calls and says, “I”ve just been in a car accident,” the first question out of your mouth will show what you really care about (and it will also have a direct bearing on your marital relationship). Asking, “Are you OK?” reveals love for your spouse and results in compassion and healing.

September 13, 2011

Christian Standard

Getting the Most from the Gospels (Part Two)

By Matt Proctor In Part One of this article, I explained that Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are more than divinely inspired, historically accurate biographies. They are that, to be sure. But each writer”s distinctive approach to telling his material gives us nuance and knowledge we would never have received from one writer alone. This week we consider principles to help us get the fullest meaning possible from what I call these “pastorally interpretive narratives of the life of Christ.”   Read Behind the Lines The first principle of Gospel reading is read behind the lines. In other words, look at the history and culture

September 6, 2011

Christian Standard

Getting the Most from the Gospels (Part One)

By Matt Proctor “Irresistibly drawn to Jesus.” That phrase describes many who have come to faith after reading the Gospels. Most of us love the Gospels because we love Jesus, and the Gospels bring us face to face with him. For some the Gospels are so familiar, though, that they miss truth contained there. A few helps can prevent that from happening. When he was growing up, Vince Antonucci”s parents never took him to church. Maybe it was because his mother was Jewish and his father was a professional gambler. Regardless, he knew nothing about Jesus. He says, “As far

June 21, 2009

Christian Standard

The Marvel of Metaphor in Teaching and Counseling

  By Larry W. Bailey   The talented, courageous king had sinned against God and his neighbors. He had committed adultery and schemed to assure the death of his lover”s husband who was serving in the king”s army. King David needed to be confronted, and a prophet of God was assigned the task. Nathan did not shout at the king, cite the commandments David had violated, or detail the error of his ways. Rather, he told David a simple story that included a person of power, a humble servant, and a lamb. There were two men in a certain town,

February 4, 2009

Christian Standard

Safe Streets, Saved Souls

By Mark A. Taylor This week we”re making good on our promise to keep publishing articles about elders even after our 2008 emphasis, “The Year of the Elder,” is finished. The three articles featured in this issue won”t be the last helps for elders you”ll find in our pages this year. Meanwhile, we”re continuing to develop issues around our 2009 theme, “Get Your Hands Dirty.” We”re gathering stories from around the world to show how Restoration Movement congregations and missions are redeeming broken bodies as well as lost souls. Timothy Keller, in his challenging little book, The Prodigal God, offers

December 2, 2007

Christian Standard

Older and Wiser: Strutting or Striving7

By Gary Weedman Let”s face it. We live in a culture that exalts youth. Just look at the ads on TV. The only time you see an old person is when he or she is advertising another colored pill that will actually help you “feel young again.” Or, if you use this product, you”ll “look years younger.” Yet, there”s a certain irony, because the population in our nation is aging. The number of Americans 65 and older will double in the next 25 years. By the year 2030 there will be 71 million of us “senior citizens.” That”s one out

April 25, 2007

Brad Dupray

Dan Gilliam God Touches

Interview with Dan Gilliam

Dan Gilliam discusses his book God Touches and the spiritual journey behind it—describing church as authentic fellowship, exploring recovery and brokenness, and urging readers to seek fresh, honest expressions of community and faith.

November 26, 2006

Lee Snyder

human touch

The Human Touch

A small group’s culture shifted when one leader chose to offer appropriate, caring touch. Lee Snyder explores why touch matters, how it communicates acceptance and sympathy, and why Christians should practice it wisely and respectfully.

August 27, 2006

Dave Smith

God’s love for rebels

The God Who Loves Rebels

A chapel moment of anger turns into gratitude as Dave Smith explores Jonah’s rebel heart—and the relentless love of God shown through discipline, grace, and perseverance toward those who resist him.

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